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Dublin

St. Patty's in Dublin

The new "it" area of DublinMore Photos
  • by crolsen
  • A March 2005 travel journal
  • Last Updated: May 5, 2005
Journal Usefulness Rating 3 out of 5
Journal Usefulness
6
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17
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If you thought Dublin was crazy on a normal weekend, imagine the fun during St. Patrick's Day festivities!

St. Patty's in Dublin

Overview

The new
Dublin might not get much crazier than it does for St. Patrick's Day weekend. Besides plenty of activity in the pubs and special events such as a carnival and fireworks, we also enjoyed various museums and especially just walking around the city.

Quick Tips:

As everyone speaks English, it's easy to get information about special things to do. If you plan on visiting museums, you may want to purchase a joint ticket for the Writers Museum, James Joyce Museum, and Shaw birthplace for 11€ per person.

Best Way To Get Around:

As healthy 20-somethings, we didn't use any public transportation, except to get to and from the airport. Part of the city's charm includes exploring by foot, although we were told the bus system is efficient and convenient.

Isaac's Hostel

Hotel

Isaac's Hostel

Isaac's was busy while we were there and one of the few hostels with availability when we booked it 2 months in advance. It's large for a hostel, and our 10-bed dorm was on the third floor (lots of steps). We were generally satisfied with it, although the showers were cold and you had to push a button on the wall continuously to get the water to come out. The bathrooms were a bit dirty, and it was somewhat inconvenient to be locked out between 11 and 2:30pm every day. Of course, you get what you pay for! The staff was courteous and seemed knowledgeable, and the location was great.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by crolsen on March 26, 2005

Isaac's Hostel
2-5 Frenchmans Lane Dublin, Ireland
+353 (1) 8556215

Thai Orchid

Restaurant

Thai Orchid

My travel companion, who considers himself a bit of a Thai food expert, ranks this as the second-best Thai restaurant he's ever been to (the first being a place he frequented in Australia). The location (just across the O'Connell Bridge on the Temple Bar side) and setting (lush curtains, mini-waterfalls, and green plants) can't be beat. In fact, it's easy to forget you're in Dublin at all. The food was excellent and the service matched. We shared spring rolls as a starter, and I had a fantastic veggie stir-fry, while my friend enjoyed a chicken dish. It was very enjoyable after a day of celebrating St. Patty's!
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by crolsen on April 28, 2005

Thai Orchid
7 Westmoreland Street Dublin, Ireland
+353 1 671 9969

Oliver St John Gogarty

Activity

In the heart of Temple Bar, with an Irish band upstairs and more modern music downstairs

Oliver St John Gogarty's Pub

Of the dozen or so pubs we visited in Dublin, this one shone through. The music downstairs was classic and upbeat--lots of sing-along-type songs to relax the crowd and a decent mix of locals and tourists. It was fun to be in a varied age setting, as opposed to a room full of sweaty 18-year-olds (like the Temple Bar down the street). Upstairs, we enjoyed a fantastic traditional Irish band, which was also upbeat and easily got the crowd clapping. Drink prices seemed pretty typical for the area.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by crolsen on March 26, 2005

Oliver St John Gogarty
58/59 Fleet Street Dublin, Ireland
+353 1 671 1822; +35

Guinness Storehouse

Activity

Me in front of the gate outside the brewery

Guinness Brewery

Beer fan or not, the Guinness Storehouse has enough visual stimulation and history to capture the attention of even the least curious visitor. I was impressed by the setup of the storehouse; it was far more extensive than I'd expected. It was very informative, but not quite as hands-on as the Heineken Experience in Amsterdam (which I've visited multiple times). Exhibits range from explaination of the process of brewing beer and the unique characteristics of Guinness to previous Guinness advertisements. We had fun with the computer stations from which you can take a photo of yourself (and your travel buddies) to email to the folks back home. The views from the Gravity Bar on the top (7th) floor were incredible- alone worth visiting the storehouse for- and I found the complimentary pint of Guinness quite tasty. Admission is 14 euros (a bit hefty, I thought), but you could easily spend a good half-day there, especially in the gift shop! We walked there from the centre of Dublin, and it was a bit long (almost 30 minutes), but good exercise. See .
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by crolsen on April 27, 2005

Guinness Storehouse
St James's Gate Dublin, Ireland
+353 (1) 408 4800

Dublin Writers Museum

Activity

The English major (me) smiling after the museum tour

Dublin Writers Museum

The museum is housed in an attractive, restored mansion, and visitors are led around exhibits on various Irish writers by a personal audio tour (headsets that can be stopped and re-started). The tour is full of interesting information, and book lovers will appreciate the old book editions and various accessories owned by the writers. My companion got a bit bored, but I found the experience valuable and especially enjoyed the bookstore afterwards. The building also includes a nice café. For more information, visit www.writersmuseum.com.

Also, don't miss the monument in the square across from the museum dedicated to the Irish independence movement.

  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by crolsen on April 28, 2005

Dublin Writers Museum
18 Parnell Square Dublin, Ireland
353 (1) 872 2077

Trinity College

Activity

Looking back towards the entrance we came in

Trinity College

During our jaunt around the main parts of Dublin, we felt obligated to check out the campus of Trinity College. The weather was pretending to be nice but threatened rain, so we just walked around the main courtyard/grounds and took a few photos. A tour is available, but we opted out of the organized/informative route and simply admired the architecture and great big old trees. I tried to channel inspiration from some of the great minds that had studied there, imagining discussions that took place under those trees... but eventually gave in and headed to a pub to celebrate St. Patty's Day with the rest of the city.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by crolsen on April 28, 2005

Trinity College
College Green Dublin, Ireland
+353 (1) 608 1000

About the Writer

crolsen
crolsen
Fairfax, United States

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